administer

verb

ad-MIN-i-stur/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stɚ/UK · AUSad-MIN-i-stuh/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stə/

Formsadministers, administering, administered

7 meanings of administer

1
verbtransitive
To manage and be in charge of how something is done or carried out.
Like a captain who is in charge of everything on a ship.
They administer a large public hospital.
She administers the school's budget each year.
Similarmanage, run, oversee, supervise
Note
2
verbtransitive
To give a medicine or drug to a sick person or animal.
Like giving someone the right pill to help them feel better.
Nurses administer the vaccine to hundreds of people each day.
The doctor administered the medicine through a tube.
Similargive, deliver, dispense
Note
3
verbtransitive
To share something out and give parts of it to different people.
Like a teacher handing out one worksheet to each student.
Volunteers administer food and water to the crowd.
The charity administers aid to families in need.
Similardistribute, dispense, allocate, disburse
Note
4
verbtransitive
To formally give an oath to someone, having them make a serious promise.
Like a referee making players promise to follow the rules before a game.
Officials administer the oath to new citizens at the ceremony.
The judge administered the oath before the witness spoke.
Note
5
verbtransitive
To get a person or animal to swallow a drug, either openly or by tricking them.
Like hiding a dog's medicine inside a treat so it eats it.
Owners administer the worming tablet hidden inside a piece of food.
She administered the sedative to the nervous dog.
Similargive, feed
Note
6
verbtransitive
To take charge of and settle the property of someone who has died without leaving a will.
Like sorting out and sharing a person's belongings after they are gone.
A court official was appointed to administer the estate.
She administers estates for people who die without a will.
Similarsettle
Note
7
verbintransitive
To look after someone and help with what they need.
Like a nurse who looks after everyone on the ward.
Nurses administer to the sick throughout the night.
She administers to the poor in her community.
Similarminister, attend, tend
Oppositeneglect
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin administrare meaning "to manage," made from ad ("to") plus ministrare ("to serve"). It came into English through Old French.